This is a discussion on Having trouble playing against a calling station within the online poker forums, in the Learning Poker section; I find myself having large amounts of trouble trying to get any type of physical read on a player seated anywhere in 4-7 when seated

I find myself having large amounts of trouble trying to get any type of physical read on a player seated anywhere in 4-7 when seated in chairs 4-7... If they are on my side it's different but any tips on adjusting without acting like a troll are greatly appreciated.

I've had several sessions where a calling station wants to tag along with nearly every raise then I find myself either between two others in a hand or in front of two with the player who does nothing but call sweeten pots I try to take down on the flop.

Tip #1 don't try and bluff a calling station, instead take them for all the value they are worth so if they are not folding to a cbet and your cbet is not for value then you can probably check it down since the calling station is very passive typically until they hit a good hand at which point they may turn up the agression and you know you shouldn't be in without a big hand.

#3

6th June 2015, 1:54 PM

alipalip [242]

Online Poker at: PS,FT, 888

Game: Holdem

BluffMeAllIn has right!!!
Also i thin the main idea is to keep your openrange stiff , and a little lose the call range, and have patience to wait for the right cards. The call station will pay for your patience!

#4

8th June 2015, 10:33 PM

chloebrand [106]

Poker at: ACR CARBON

Game: hold em

Well said...don't get frustrated with calling stations, they are a gift, your personal ATM machine. Just be patient, your hands will come.

#5

15th June 2015, 8:06 PM

skavenger [255]

Game: hold,omaha

re: Poker & Having trouble playing against a calling station

Do not bluff against them , play in position and hand value, so if you hit something , try to extract the maximum amount of calling stations , generally defined as fish or money donors

#6

15th June 2015, 8:57 PM

sunshine0410 [57]

If you hit something good, play it agressiv. You can also overbet the pot and bet on every street for value (also with hands, that you might think you have no more value to get from your opponent, but sometimes they call with A high or bottom pair 3 times) But bluffing is a very bad idea.

#7

16th June 2015, 2:59 PM

BullWink [277]

Online Poker at: titanpoker

Game: holdem

When playing with a calling station player when it is heads up, the advise so far has been spot on (don't bluff - just wait until you get decent hands then value bet). The original problem was that the calling station is in with multiple players, thus it gives other players pot odds on a wider range of draws. My advise is to use your reads against the other players, including the calling station, and adjust your play according to your reads and what the board shapes up to be.

#8

21st June 2015, 9:18 PM

FromHereOn [73]

Poker at: ACR / BOL

Game: Mixed, FL

Identify your calling station: There are more than one, and it's very dangerous to be wrong.

You may be dealing with:

Chasers: Calling down streets to make a jackpot drawing hand.
Non-believers: Have a read on you being too loose/aggressive.
Fish: Over-valuing minor hands, but unbluffable

Imagine how different these players are despite their images being similar at a glance. Make sure to pay attention and take notes while out of a hand.

#9

22nd June 2015, 8:24 AM

mk0523 [410]

Online Poker at: ACR

Calling stations aka loose passive players are the easiest players to play against. You simply bet when you have it and try to get max value when you know you have a good hand. Whenever this player shows aggression against you chances are they got you. There rarely ever bluff and for some reason they just don't like to fold. I'm not sure if it's because there just stubborn, don't care, or just don't want to be bluffed. I don't care what reason it is though so long as there giving me their chips

#10

22nd June 2015, 8:54 AM

Deep Bhavsar [43]

Poker at: Pokerstars

Game: Texas Holdem

re: Poker & Having trouble playing against a calling station

I like to play straight forward poker with calling guys, even in freerolls, So i get all the chips, don't bluff them..

#11

22nd June 2015, 6:36 PM

pokervike [129]

Online Poker at: ACR & BCP

Game: NLHE, LHE,

I realize now that I should have just deleted or renamed the thread.... if any of you noticed from the first statement I made. This was to be about how to get tells off of calling stations when they are seated near you playing brick and mortar. Sorry for the confusion